EIGHT BELLS: DAVE PHILIPS

(Newport, RI)- It is with great sadness that J/Boats reports that David M. Philips passed away November 27 at Brightview Commons in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He was age 94.

David was a long-time fan of J/Boats since the company first started building J/24s in Warren, RI and setup its world headquarters in Newport, RI. David was THE sailing reporter for the Providence Journal, the principal newspaper for the State of Rhode Island. David became quick friends with Bob and Rod Johnstone, J/Boats' co-founders in the summer of 1977. Dave took great pride in reporting on the success of the J/24 at Block Island Race Week in 1977 and subsequent events later. Dave reported every single day of the first J/24 World Championship in 1979 held in Newport, RI. He interviewed participants, the winner Charlie Scott from Annapolis, MD, and provided great coverage of the event. In later years, David would continue to report on the continued growth of J/Boats and the successes of numerous J/Designs over the next three-plus decades. In fact, Dave was particularly proud of Rhode Islanders that were winning across the USA, Europe, and World Championships- like Ken and Brad Read, Ed "Moose" McClintock, Scott Ferguson, Ed Adams, amongst others too numerous to mention.

After graduating high school in 1944, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy and deployed to the Pacific as a meteorologist on an aircraft carrier. Stationed as part of the 8,000-vessel fleet gathered at Ulithi for the invasion of Japan, he and his fellow sailors were relieved to learn of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Following the Japanese surrender he finished his tour of duty in 1946 and returned home to go to college on the GI Bill. After graduating from Wesleyan University in 1951 he began his career as a journalist working for publications in Prescott, AZ, Nampa, ID, Wallingford, CT and New Haven, CT before coming to the Providence Journal, where he worked as a sports journalist for 36 years until his retirement.

David loved covering sailing and his coverage of the America’s Cup races in Newport, RI, San Diego, CA and Perth, Australia made the Providence Journal the newspaper of record for following the America’s Cup. Even 20 years after his retirement, a trip to the waterfront always included people recognizing him and coming up to reminisce.

“If you raced sailboats on Narragansett Bay from the 1960s to the 1990s you knew Dave Philips,” recalled Providence Journal colleague Michael Szostak. “If you skippered a 12-meter yacht on Rhode Island Sound during the hey-day of America’s Cup racing in Newport, you knew Dave Philips. If you crewed aboard a boat in the Newport-Bermuda race, you knew Dave Philips.”

Dave served as Chairman of RI Boating Council, held memberships in US Sailing and Narragansett Bay Yachting Association, and worked as a correspondent for Yachting Magazine for 10 years in the 1970s. The Narragansett Bay Yachting Association awarded him the William E. Tripp trophy for making an outstanding contribution to yachting and yacht racing on Narragansett Bay for 36 years.

Known to have quipped, “I’ve covered every sport but ladies wrestling,” his interests ranged well beyond his impressive knowledge of sports statistics and facts. He recalled a vast repertoire of college and university fights songs and could add a song lyric or apt quotation to any conversation. He knew all the songs and cheers for his alma mater, Wesleyan, where he served as Secretary of the Class of 1951 from 1971 until 2019.

His love of singing led him to sing in a cowboy barbershop quartet in Prescott, AZ and later in his church choir at St. Martin’s Church in Providence. Additionally, he possessed an abiding interest in the weather sparked by his naval service as a meteorologist. He faithfully followed The Weather Channel, which may have even preempted ESPN as his favorite. Each year he purchased a Farmer’s Almanac and inserted blank pages to keep track of the actual weather compared to the Almanac’s prediction.

As much as he loved sports, weather and singing, he also loved dogs, especially a series of Miniature Schnauzers. His idea of contentment was a comfortable chair in front of a roaring fire with a dog in his lap.

He is survived by two brothers, Daniel Philips of Pompano Beach, Florida and John Philips of Silver Spring, Maryland, a sister, Caroline Norwood of Emeryville, California and his special friend, Constance Hargreaves and her family of Cranston, RI.

He is also survived by many cousins including, Nancy Burroughs of Peace Dale, RI, Tom Rowe of Middletown, RI, Andy Rowe of Hope, ME, Clark Tyler of McLean, VA, Terry Tyler of Dorset, VT and David Rowe of Northbrook, IL.

Due to COVID restrictions the graveside service at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI will be private. A memorial to celebrate his life will be held next spring or summer. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to St. Martin’s Church, 50 Orchard Avenue Providence, RI 02906. 

J/100 Amazing Grace For Sale

 

The elegant "Amazing Grace" is the most recently re-fitted and upgraded J/100 on the market. The J/100 is proven both as a daysailer and for inshore racing. Now based in Falmouth, Maine, Amazing Grace was originally a freshwater boat until purchased and re-fitted as a dual-purpose sailboat in 2017. Her current owner is a highly experienced and successful cruising and racing sailor who knows how to keep a boat in top condition. However, due to a change in family circumstances, she has been used very little since being re-fitted and raced only once (a short club race that she won handily even without her new race sails). Here is a chance to own a true "gold-plater", a gorgeous example of the coveted J/100 daysailer.Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Sailing the Bay in an Entirely Other Way on my J/105

It seems like many of us are finding silver linings here and there as our lives wrestle with the dangers of the pandemic. One of these for me has been exploring the challenges of a whole new type of sailing: double-handed distance racing.

Since the announcement of the new Olympic event slated for the 2024 Games, the notion of trying this adventurous type of racing has been seeping into the sailing community. In fact, my husband Bruce has been angling for us to campaign together since last winter, even enrolling us in a Safety at Sea Seminar and applying for a J/88 charter as part of the special double-handed class that was meant to compete in this summer’s Chicago-Mac as a qualifier for the World’s in October offshore Malta.

To be honest, I’ve been quite the realist about undertaking this kind of challenge. You can’t just throw around that “O” word lightly, as anyone who’s dabbled in campaigning will attest. Not to mention that Bruce and I can be described well as fully programmed inshore buoy racers who enjoy the creature comforts of evening après-racing as much as being on familiar waters with our full crackerjack crew while duking it out with friendly competition. Let’s say we hammer down and learn the skills of short-handed sailing and sophisticated navigation, and even convert our aged bodies into athletic machines that can operate efficiently in the middle of the night while sleep-deprived, then we’d be facing off with medal-obsessed competitors who actually built a life around this kind of sailing and have track records of round-the-world, transoceanic racing that was their starting point in the quest for 2024 glory.

Yeah right. So, this was my impression and my prejudicial respect for the game, and I was dragging my feet all the way. Until a pandemic hit, and suddenly, Bruce was the only person I could go sailing with safely under the 'shelter in place' orders. Now, I am not saying I am fully on board with an Olympic effort, but at least I could sample the endeavor with some local racing on San Francisco Bay (assuming I could sleep in my own bed at night).

As it turns out, there is a deep roster of short-handed sailors who race in San Francisco Bay and into the Pacific Ocean. The Single-handed Sailing Society runs events for soloists and double-handed teams several times a year. As August approached and virtually every J/105 and match racing event on my calendar toppled to the realities of COVID-19, the SSS offered us a chance to feed our passion for racing while giving us a taste of the vogue mixed-crew, double-handed discipline. Its "Round the Rocks" race attracted 122 entries, 80% double-handed and the remaining folks their traditional single-handed clientele.  We finished third in a hotly contested eight-boat J/105 fleet that was led by Ryan Simmons in Blackhawk, followed by Pat Benedict in Advantage3.  This was followed by Richmond YC’s "Island Tour Regatta" with 80 entries, (9 single-handed and 71 double-handed – including 6 J/70s) – we skipped that one because it was PHRF.  Instead, we raced the following day in the double-handed, one-design 2020 Pandemonium Regatta, hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club, with 37 double-handed boats, including a solid eight-boat J/24 fleet, eight J/105s and four J/88s.  We finished 2nd in a terrific duel all the way around the course with Bill Woodward’s recently rebuilt Russian Roulette.

The amazing aspect is that’s a total of over 200 double-handed boats crossing the starting line in August!  The Single-handed Sailing Society is de-facto becoming the Double-handed Sailing Society.

When you're not skiing, go sailing!

"Loving ARROWHEAD, our J/42 hull #62. 

She has 35,000 miles on here. 8 Newport to Bermuda Races. 4 Marblehead to Halifax Races, and the 2015 Transatlantic race. A lot of miles under her bottom, great boat sailing offshore," commented owner Steve Berlack. 

Steve is the Men's Ski Team Coach at the famous Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke, Vermont. The Academy is famous for turning out some of America's top ski racers on the FIS Tour and Olympic Medallists. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Fest Chicago Celebrates Sailing Again!

(Chicago, IL)- Following Chicago's pandemic guidelines, the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club was able to host Chicago's first one-design keelboat regatta for just J/Crews- the inaugural J/Fest Chicago! The event took place August 29th to 30th, sailing out of Montrose Harbor, with racing taking place on the gorgeous azure blue waters of Lake Michigan. Three one-design classes participated in the event- J/88s, J/105s, and J/111s.

In the largest class, the six-boat J/88 class saw a great battle unfold between one of Chicago's premiere offshore teams- Ben Marden's BANTER and a fast-learning Scandinavian crew- Jorgen Christiansen's NORSE. Winning the first race, Christiansen's team posted all podium finishes of 1-3-1-2-3 for a total of 10 pts to win the class. Uncharacteristically, Marden's team posted a 6th in the first race, but closed with three bullets and a deuce for 11 pts total to take the silver. Tim Wade's WINDSONG rounded out the podium in the bronze position, scoring a pair of deuces and a pair of threes for 15 pts total.

The J/105 one-design class had a closely fought battle for first, with the top two boats tied at 11 pts with identical records of 1-1-2-2-2-3!  In the end, by winning the last race, Josh Lutton's KINSHIP won the gold, while Mike Sheppard's crew on FLYING PIG slipped to 2nd. Rounding out the podium taking the bronze was Richie Stearns's GLIDER IV.

In the J/111 one-design class, it was a match race duel all weekend between the two boats. In the end, it was John Kalanik's PURA VIDA winning over their colleagues on MOMENTUS (Kevin Saedi & Raman Yousefi).

Thanks to regatta sponsors/ supporters such as MarkSetBot (the fully autonomous mark setting miracle), Stearns Boating, Evolution Sails, Skyway Yacht Works, and SAIL 22.com.  For more J/Fest Chicago sailing and registration information

Awesome Royal Torbay Regatta

(Torquay, England)- Organized by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, the Torbay Royal Regatta is normally a three-day festival of competitive racing over the August bank holiday weekend. Given the circumstances this year, there were doubts about any event at all, but when restrictions were eased at the end of July, Sailing Secretary Bob Penfold decided to try and run a reduced regatta.

Penfold commented, “we decided to go for two days only, on August 22nd and 23d. Part of the purpose of this was to cut the number of volunteers we needed, because three of our five Race Officers are currently shielding (locked down at home), and quite a lot of others who normally operate RIBs are not able to do so at the moment. By sticking to yachts and sportboats only, we could minimize the number of support people required out on the water; we had just two people mark-laying, distanced on the RIB and wearing face coverings, and they had to do just one tow-in. We also reduced the number of people on the committee boat to five, including one couple, and again, they were all distanced.”

The organizing team ran no registration, so avoiding the need for people to sit opposite each other, and there was just a limited race office, with reduced hours, all done through the club’s main office with a screen between participants and those at the desk. Sailing instructions and the Notice of Race included clear referrals to both government and RYA covid-19 online guidance.

The weather for the event was good, with gusts of over 25 knots on the Saturday. As a result, there was a full weekend of racing, and it was very competitive, especially in the sportsboat classes. There were eight entries in the cruiser fleet, following the SWYTC handicap system, eight entries in the IRC yacht fleet, and 11 sportboats. Some were crewed by "family bubble" teams, while others, being larger, were socially distanced and, where necessary, using mitigation such as masks according to the guidelines. Participants were largely club members, though there were a few boats from further afield.

In the end, Paddy Bettesworth's crew on the J/70 BEWITCHED took the bronze medal in the Sportboats class. The team was grinning from ear-to-ear at the end of racing on Sunday, reveling in the spectacular sailing conditions all weekend long.

Prize-givings were in the terraced garden of the club with people well spaced-out and a one-way system. Prizes were sponsored by Maintain South West (Sportsboats), Westaway Sails (IRC class) and Teign Metal Finishes (Cruiser Class).

Members were very happy with the event, commenting extremely positively. One crew messaged afterwards: “We had the most amazing weekend sailing. It’s such a treat to see all of you again after such a prolonged time off the water. Thank you to everyone involved with the organizing for all their efforts – it’s hugely appreciated, especially with the extra challenges to navigate this year. Well done!”  For more Royal Torbay YC Torbay Regatta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Red Fox Regatta Preview

(Charlevoix, MI)- The Red Fox Regatta weekend is a three-day event starting with the NuCore Triangle race on Friday evening, ending with a two-day race from the top of Lake Charlevoix on Saturday, and back again on Sunday afternoon.  With an excellent family-friendly event planned for Saturday evening, it's been a cherished event for many racers, crew members, and their families for many years. This year, despite all odds conspiring to prevent the event from taking place, the Charlevoix YC has been able organize and run the event within the State of Michigan's pandemic guidelines. Many J/Crews are looking forward to their first real sailing outing for summer 2020! 

Sailing in the eight-boat PHRF 2 division is Colin Texter's J/70 SISTERSHIP. The six-boat PHRF 4 division sees Chicago-Mackinac Race champion Robert Evans sailing his J/109 GOAT RODEO. Joining him is Jane Enterline's J/105 GREEN FLASH and Rob Lovell's J/92 KNOCKOUT. Sailing in the seven-boat PHRF 6 division are a duo of J/111s (George Golder's TERRIER and Carl Hanssen's VARIANCE). PHRF 7 division has the newly powered-up J/121 LOKI sailed by Robert Christoph.

The seven-boat J/22 one-design class includes two Warrior Sailing Teams along with Chris Shadek's BACK IN ACTION and Abigail Barnes's RUM PLUS.   For more Red Fox Regatta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Tri-State Fly-By Race Preview

(Chicago, IL)- In days past, the traditional Labor Day Weekend Tri-State Race (a 3-day event) would start in Chicago, head over to Michigan across the southern parts of Lake Michigan, stay overnight, then race down to Indiana, stay overnight and party-hardy again, the race home to Chicago. However, due to all kinds of multi-state guidelines on pandemic guidelines, the race is now simply a long-distance triangle race. Starting in Chicago, over to the St Joseph, MI harbor entrance buoy (a fly-by), down to Michigan City, IN harbor entrance buoy (another fly-by), then back to Chicago.  What is surprising is the strong interest in the race, especially by the double-handed and singlehanded entries.

In the PHRF Double class, four J/105s are participating; including Mike Sheppard's notorious FLYING PIG, Mark Gannon's GANGBUSTERS, Mike Hettel's GLOBAL NOMADS, and Ralph Krauss's YUKON. Joining them is John Kalanik's J/111 PURA VIDA and Ron Otto's J/110 TAKEDOWN 2. In the Singlehanded class are duel J/105s (David Pierce's CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC and Brian Crabb's SEA-U).

In PHRF SPIN 3 class is Andy Graff's race-winning J/88 EXILE along with Judith & Ross McLean's J/105 ESPRIT d'ECOSSE. Sailing PHRF SPIN 2 class is the J/99 RAMBLER along with Mitch Weisman's J/105 FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER. PHRF Spin 1 Cass features two J/111s (Boyd Jarrell's HEADROOM and Kevin Saedi & Raman Yousefi's MOMENTOUS) and Tom Papoutsis's J/133 RENEGADE.  For more Tri-State Fly-By Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Round the Island Race- Jamestown Preview

(Jamestown, Rhode Island)- In a summer of social distancing, getting out on the water has been a release for many local sailors. Conanicut Yacht Club's Annual Around-the-Island Race on September 6th aims to continue to be that respite. The 93rd edition, held annually on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, may look a little different this year but will still be a celebration of the New England summer sailing season winding down.

Typically attracting around one hundred boats, competitors start at 11 am in separated divisions then circumnavigate the 18.0 mile course around Conanicut Island. Usually, this is followed by the popular post-race party and awards ceremony at the club. However, the pandemic rules haven’t allowed us to do that part of the day’s activities.

"We are proud and grateful for how flexible and patient the sailing community has been this summer," says race chairman, Alan Baines. "We delayed opening registration until we knew more about how we could operate safely for everyone and of course, decided to not host a post-racing party. However, as regulations are always changing, we do ask for your continued cooperation. So please keep an eye out for any late special instructions or changes over the coming weeks."

Despite the cancellations or modifications of other local regattas, many race boats have still been sailing as much as possible. They have adapted to the "new normal" by following the safety recommendations from the State of Rhode Island by limiting crew or just sailing with family. Face masks or buffs have become a part of the sailors' gear bag as much as the lifejacket, hat, and sunglasses.

Many J/Crews are participating in what is generally the most popular long-distance race sailed on Narragansett Bay every summer. The Sunday marine weather forecast is looking pretty epic, sunny and in the 70's F, S-SW winds 10-15 kts most of the day and with a high tide at 11:08 AM the Bay will be ebbing all day long. As a result, the fleet will be pushed upwind at a 1-2 kts clip...making it a very fast race on a handicap basis for the smaller boats.

Participating in the seven-boat PHRF C Class- Non-Spinnaker- is Owen Harren's J/44 SINGULARLY. In the nine-boat PHRF D Class are Noah Simmons's J/22 QUINN and a duet of J/24s (John Stokes's FRAMBOSE & Mike Hill's OBSTREPOROUS).  In the nine-boat PHRF E Class is Colin Miller's J/27 SPLASH TANGO and a trio of J/30s (Chris Tate's BLITZ, Dexter Hoag's ALTAIR, & Dan Borsutky's FLYING HIGH).

One of the largest classes in the race is the thirteen-boat PHRF F Class. Leading the charge should be EC Helme's talented local knowledge team on his J/92S SPIRIT. They will be pressed hard by Sam Sylvester's J/29 MEDDLER, a trio of J/70s (Gordon Fletcher's GIJIMA, Hannah Swett's SPARKLE, & Stu Johnstone's J-HAWK), and a duo of J/80s (Conor O'Neil's THE PARTY TREE & Eric Bell's PHANTOM).

The thirteen-boat PHRF G Class has a well-known trio of winning J/109s flying around the race track; including Bill Kneller's VENTO SOLARE, Tom Sutton's LEADING EDGE, and Bo Eaves’ FREEDOM. They will be chased hard by FJ Ritt's J/35 SHAMROCK.  For more Conanicut YC Around the Island Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Landsail Tyres J-Cup UK Update

(Cowes, England)- Fifty J/Boats have entered the Landsail Tyres J-Cup and the sizable fleet had a thrilling start to the three-day regatta with a fresh south-westerly breeze gusting over 25 knots. The RORC Race Team, led by PRO Stuart Childerley, completed one race for all classes before the tide changed, stirring up an already agitated Solent. Class winners on the opening day were Gavin Howe’s J/88 Tigris, David Greenhalgh’s J/92 J’Ronimo, Tony & Sally Mack’s J/111 McFly, Simon Perry’s J/109 Jiraffe and Paul Ward’s J/70 Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat.


In IRC One, three former J-Cup winners filled the podium for the first race of the regatta. Gavin Howe’s J/88 Tigris won by just 22 seconds on corrected time from David & Kirsty Apthorp’s J/88 J-Dream. Chaz Ivill’s J/112E Davanti Tyres was third.

“I am delighted with the team’s performance today,” commented Gavin Howe. “The race was very competitive. In the conditions we decided not to hoist are spinnaker on the downwind leg and J-Dream decided to go for it and passed us. However, Tigris fought back to win, which was delightful.”

In IRC Two, David Greenhalgh’s J/92 J’Ronimo reveled in the conditions to take line honours and the race win after time correction by nearly three minutes. Nick Munday’s J/97 Induljence was second and Becky Walford’s J/92 Brenda’s J was third.

Volvo Ocean Race sailor Libby Greenhalgh is navigator and tactician for her father driving J’Ronimo. “We went for an early reef on J’Ronimo and sailed the course that suited our boat rather than following the fleet,” she commented. “Our overall strategy was to minimize tacks and race in flat water, rather than use the tide.”


In the J/111 Class, Tony & Sally Mack’s McFly opened their defense of the J/111 UK National Championship with a solid performance taking the race win. Chris Jones’ Journeymaker II was second and Tim Tolcher’s Raging Bull 2 was third.

In the J/109 Class, also their UK National Championship, Simon Perry’s Jiraffe was today’s race winner. Mike & Susie Yates’ Jago was second and David Richards’ Jumping Jellyfish was third.

Paul Ward’s Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat won a high-speed encounter in the J/70 Class. Nick Phillips racing RTYC Charter boat Chaotic, only racing in a J/70 for the second time, was runner up. Tim Collins racing EV Experts was third.


The daily prize givings were held at the RORC Clubhouse. Dividing the fleet for social distancing, the J Boat family enjoyed complimentary pasta and a bottle beer and applauded today’s prize winners. Racing continues tomorrow, Friday 4th September, with lighter winds forecast for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup.

Key Yachting and the Royal Ocean Racing Club have been hard at work to maintain safety of all involved, both ashore and afloat. The sailing instructions include details of COVID-19 procedures. There is also a no spinnaker/gennaker wind limit designed to work with reduced crew numbers. All Competitors are welcome at the RORC Cowes clubhouse during the event.

The most coveted award at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup is the J-Cup itself, which will be awarded at the Prize Giving Dinner on Saturday 5th September.   Sailing photo credits- Paul Wyeth  For more J/Cup UK Regatta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

FALSE ASSURANCES: The Next Sailing Movie?
As seen in The Hollywood Reporter: Spyglass Media Group optioned the rights to bring FALSE ASSURANCES to the big screen. The novel, written by lifelong sailor Christopher Rosow, opens on a doublehanded J/111 competing in the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race.

Bob Johnstone, of eponymous J/Boats fame, enthuses that FALSE ASSURANCES and sequel THREAT BIAS “are the two most engaging thrillers I’ve read in a long time,” adding, “it’s more than just a reading experience… it’s like plunging in, sometimes deep enough to come up gasping for air.”

Read the story that shot to #1 on the Amazon Kindle, Wall Street Journal fiction e-book, and Apple Books lists (and reached #6 on the Amazon combined print/e-book chart). Available from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/False-Assurances-Ben-Porter-Book/dp/1734714700), Apple Books (https://books.apple.com/us/book/false-assurances/id1510652247), and your local bookseller.

Hollywood Reporter:
Spyglass Picks Up Thriller Novel 'False Assurances' From First-Time Author (Exclusive)
 Christopher Rosow's book was published in May and became a No. 1 Amazon Kindle best-seller.

Spyglass Media has optioned the rights to False Assurances, the debut novel from Christopher Rosow.

Since publication in May, the novel — actually part of a two-book debut from Rosow — has become a No. 1 Amazon Kindle best-seller; a No. 1 Apple books best seller and a No. 1 Wall Street Journal fiction e-book. A third book is in the works.

The first book has political hook, with a plot involving the president and terrorists. The story is set in motion when the FBI Boston field office gets a hoax call, with a man claiming his sailboat was hijacked and used to smuggle weapons and terrorists into the United States. Despite the far-fetched nature of the claims, a presidential visit to Boston that night requires an investigation, and the FBI dispatches admin staffer Ben Porter, a laid-back millennial and the opposite of Jack Ryan in almost every way, to the scene. Rosow is an avid and competitive sailor and was inspired to write the story while on a race in the Atlantic.

“Christopher has written a gripping suspense thriller with fast-paced storytelling and dynamic characters,” said Spyglass’ president of production, Peter Oillataguerre. “Ben Porter is a whole new brand of ‘hero’ that will take audiences on a captivating ride.”

Oillataguerre and Chris Stone, VP production and development, will oversee the project on behalf of Spyglass.

The pickup shows that Spyglass has more on its mind than just mining its library, which, as a partnership between Gary Barber and Lantern Entertainment, includes many titles that were made by Miramax. So far, it is those titles that have grabbed the most limelight as the company develops its slate, which includes the reboots of horror franchises Scream and Hellraiser.

Rosow was repped in the deal by Hotchkiss Daily & Associates. Thanks for these contributions from Scuttlebutt Sailing Newsletter and from THE Hollywood Reporter.

Welcome Back Regatta A Smashing Success

(Lunenburg, Nova Scotia)- The Lunenburg Yacht Club held the first Welcome Back Regatta on August 21st to 23rd. The regatta had great attendance, all things considered, with just over 200 competitors and 36 boats across five classes. Due to Covid restrictions, the club’s property had a maximum of 250 people on-site, so sailors had to be limited for health safety reasons.

Jennifer Hall was the Regatta Chair and Colin Mann (J/92 owner of POOHSTICKS) was the Regatta PRO.

Winds on day one were 15-25 knots resulting in some boats retiring early. Saturday the racers were treated to a sail past by the 140’ Bluenose II. Sunday saw more manageable 10-15 knot breezes, making for exciting, close sailing. Several classes sailed up to eight races over three days.

PHRF A Class was won by Larry Creaser on the J/100 YOUNG BLOOD, racing extremely well against a fleet of hot 30-footers.


PHRF B Class saw yacht broker Chris Power in the J/29 JAEGER finish second in the 9-boat fleet, just ahead Bernd Hackstein's J/27 BUZZ and Don Williams J/29 PARADIGM SHIFT.

The six-boat J/105 class was won in a complete "whitewash" of the fleet by Rory Macdonald's McMAC; winning seven of eight races and throwing out a 3rd and a 1st to win with all bullets. Surviving that somewhat painful "schooling" was John Sapp's V-TACK and Richard Gerstenberger's AXIS finishing 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

This regatta was the first of its kind in Nova Scotia after Covid restrictions required the annual Chester Race Week to be postponed for the season. Sailing photo credits- Lunenburg YC Commodore- Janet Marie Snair.  For more Welcome Back Regatta information and results.Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Gale-force Conditions for RORC Summer #3 Race

(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- The Royal Ocean Racing Club's Summer Series Race 3 was a "full-on foam-up" in 25 knots of breeze gusting well over 30 kts. The long day race was a course of about 42 miles for the monohulls with a beat west from the Squadron Line to East Lepe, followed by a scorching downwind leg east through the Solent. After bisecting No Man’s Land and Horse Sand Forts, the downwind sleigh ride took the fleet to Pullar, north east of the Nab Tower. The final leg was a beat to finish at the Squadron Line.

In the fourteen-boat IRC 1 division, Mike O’Donnell’s J/121 DARKWOOD took second in class, sailing around the track in 5 hrs 26 min 24 sec. Over half of the class dropped out of the race due to the heavier than normal conditions. 

The twenty-five boat IRC 2 Division saw the highest attrition rate of all classes, with five J/111s, four J/122s, and a J/112E all taking DNC's instead of facing the near gale conditions.  In fact, only two boats finished after seven hours of sailing! 

Of the forty-three boats entered in IRC 3 Division, just seven boats started and finished the 43nm track in just over five hours, nearly a 7.8 kts average for the race! Surviving the hellacious chop in the Solent was the J/88 TIGRIS being sailed doublehanded- Gavin Howe and Sam Cooper took a fifth place.

A similar story played out for IRC 4 Division, with just three boats in a class of forty-seven entries finishing the course in just over six hours.

The real hard-core sailors seemed to be in the IRC Doublehanded Division.  Eight boats completed the course out of a fleet of forty-seven entries! Again, it was the duo on the J/88 TIGRIS (Howe & Cooper) that hung on tough to take fifth in class.

Full details of the revised RORC racing programme can be found on the RORC website, but in summary: permitted crew offshore can be up to a maximum of six people from any household or two-thirds of a boat's IRC crew number whichever is the least. Competitors are also reminded of the government guidance on social distancing and other Covid-19 measures.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club's Summer Series comes to a conclusion with the fourth and final race scheduled for Sunday 6th September. Further racing with the club is set to continue in September with a new Two-Handed Autumn Series (4th, 26th Sept. & 10th Oct.) as well as the IRC National Championship (11/13 Sept.) and the IRC Two-Handed National Championship (12/13 Sept.)  For more RORC Summer Series sailing information and full results.Add to Flipboard Magazine.

We Survived – Some Boats Didn’t…..

Bill Kneller, owner of the J/109 VENTO SOLARE, has this remarkable report about a squall line that hit the Conanicut YC Tuesday evening beer-can series. Bill goes on to explain, "Vento Solare entered the final JYC summer series race with a third place standing.  Weather at the start had winds 8-12 out of the West. It looked like a beautiful night for the race with the potential for some thunderstorms later in the evening.  The crew consisted of Roland on the bow, Eric at mast & tactician, Gardner trimming jib & spin, Mary doing pit & trim, Andrew on main, and Bill on helm.

The West wind required a downwind start since we can’t sail into the land on Jamestown. The course had us sailing across the bay to the Newport harbor entrance buoy G1, back to the R12 buoy off Rose Island, over to the R2 buoy just inside Fort Adams, then to the Jamestown harbor finish line. Vento Solare with its PHRF rating of 75 is the “slowest” boat in the spinnaker A class. All went well, and we were in front of two boats that owed us time after rounding the final mark by Fort Adams on the final leg headed to Jamestown.  Over Jamestown we could see many lightning strikes from dark clouds.  About half way across the bay, sheets of rain were falling and quickly overtook us.  Within 20 seconds of the rain hitting us, the winds rapidly increased.  We immediately attempted to drop the sails but were overtaken by the strong winds and knocked over with the port side spreaders in the water.  Mary was at the port winch and slid under the port lifeline, holding on to anything she could to stay with the boat.   Bill was on the starboard side holding on to the helm to prevent from falling off the boat.  Others held on to anything they could to stay on the boat.  While the boat was on its side, it was very difficult to take actions to get the sails down. 

 

Mainsail Shredded Along the Leech

Mary was able to pull herself back on the boat through the lifelines. While she was doing that, the man overboard “Jon Buoy” deployed. Within a minute, we were able to drop the mainsail, but not before it shredded along the leech.  The jib was furled and the engine started.  Around us we saw three other boats with shredded sails. Over the radio we heard calls for help from boats that lost people overboard.  We relayed radio calls to the Jamestown YC race committee who was trying to account for all competitors. A J/22 had 3 of 4 crew members overboard. Fortunately, they were all recovered safely.  The Alerion 28 Havsflickan was unaccounted for. Later it was reported as sunk, with the crew safely rescued.  A classic Herreshoff S boat met the same fate, with crew safely recovered. We heard reports from Newport harbor of many boats that swamped on their moorings and sunk.


We attempted to hail J/92s Spirit on the radio but heard no reply. Others responded that they had seen Spirit heading back to the marina.  When we returned, there was no sign of Spirit so we hailed others on the VHF to be on the lookout for them.  Well after we returned to the dock, Spirit appeared at the marina.  It turns out the EC Helme had fallen on the VHF remote and broken the connector, making their radio inoperative.  Once they were at the dock, we reported that they were back safe and all accounted for.

In the end, all in the JYC summer series race were accounted for.  The race was officially abandoned and final results remained with Vento Solare in third place for the Spinnaker A class.  Our instruments showed winds in excess of 50 kts during the storm. The resulting damage is a destroyed mainsail, destroyed jib and man overboard buoy requiring servicing, but everyone is safe."


Commenting some more, Bill said, "these were not conditions one would expect for an inshore beer-can race.  We were on our side and saw more than 90 degrees heel as evidenced by some items stored outboard the Nav station cubby that ended on the shelf above the port settee along with the computer mouse that was in a foam holder velcroed to the Nav table.  The keyboard is kept inside the Nav table when underway. Other than that, everything below decks remained where it was supposed to be. All electronics including the Surface Pro 4 computer on a RAM mount running Expedition continued to function.  Later today I will go back and pull the data to see if I can get the actual wind velocity and heel angle.  We had plenty of rain water spray in the companionway hatch, which was pulled all the way aft, but no sea water entered the boat, even though we had lines streaming through the aft facing port lights.  This could have been a real disaster for us if there wasn't enough buoyancy to keep those above the water. I've always felt confident that the J/Boats I've owned can survive challenging conditions - both my previous boat J/30 Rhapsody and now J/109 Vento Solare.

Other J/boats out there were J/120 Salacia, J/92s Spirit, J/80 The Party Tree, J/80 Eagle, J/22 Blues Eraser (had 3 people overboard) and a number of other J/22 & J/24s that I didn't keep track of."  Read the full article here on the J/109 class site

J/70 Med Cup Announcement!

(Monte Carlo, Monaco)- The Italian, French and Monegasque J/70 Classes are thrilled to announce the J/70 Med Cup, in its second season, will start in October in Sanremo, Italy. With thirty-seven entries to date, the six-event series will have podium awards for each leg, plus an overall series podium for the best 4 results.

Notably, the 2022 J/70 Europeans and J/70 Worlds will be hold in Hyères and in Monaco, so racing the J/70 Med Cup is a fantastic way to get to know these locations.

A bonus for all J/70 owners is that logistics are greatly simplified for the participants. J/70s can be left in Sanremo and in Monaco if teams are racing for the full Monaco Winter Series. The driving distance from Sanremo to Hyères is of about 200 km, mostly on highway, from Sanremo to Monaco about 50 km and about 150 from Monaco to Hyères.

Here is the J/70 Med Cup schedule for 2020 and 2021: 

• Oct 23-25- Yacht Club Sanremo (Sanremo - Italy)
• Nov 6-8- COYCH (Hyères - France)
• Nov 13-15- Yacht Club Sanremo (Sanremo - Italy)
• Dec 10-13- Yacht Club de Monaco (Monaco)
• Feb 4-7- Yacht Club de Monaco (Monaco)
• May 13-16- I.Y.C.H. (Hyères - France)

For any other information, feel free to contact the J/70 Med Cup organizer- email- info@j70medcup.org
Follow the J/70 Med Cup on Facebook hereAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

J/121 CRESCENT IV Report from Japan

 

J/121 CRESCENT IV blasting upwind on the Sea of Japan.

* "Like many of the world’s most splendid sailing areas, such as Narragansett Bay and Waikiki, Japan’s very own Sagami Bay, just south of Tokyo, has been without sails and sailors for months; staying socially distant, and abiding by the rules.


Nevertheless, I’m now happy to say that sailing in Sagami Bay is finally back! Hayama Marina Yacht Club has restarted its fortnightly summer club races, given the rules and regulations set forth by our national and local governments.


After restarting the sailing season July 12th, our J/121 CRESCENT IV dutifully performed as committee boat at this first race and happily watched eighteen other boats enjoy a strong sea breeze. Then, on August 8th, the time was finally at hand for CRESCENT IV to compete. That morning, we had a fairly nice wind and succeeded in making a top finish in race #1 for our first club race!

Wherever you may be in this windy world, I hope and believe that all J/Boats advocates will enjoy a nice summer sea breeze!" Thanks to Aki Hirai's report, the owner of the J/121 CRESCENT IV

J/125 Brokerage Special- HOT BOAT!

J/Net Brokerage Specials! Check out our exciting new site for lovingly-owned J/Boats from around the world.

1999 J/125 "Can't Touch This" is one of the best equipped J/125's in the world and has been continually upgraded. Her last two owners have maintained her in impeccable condition. This boat has won every major offshore event on the west coast, including the Rolex Big Boat Series three-times and the Transpac Race.

She has a brand new carbon rudder, new carbon sails, and updated Awlgrip silver-metallic paint job on the topsides. She has both a buoy-race inventory and an offshore inventory. The boat has gone thru a long list of upgrades as well as a serious "carbon diet". Carbon hand rails, carbon hatch boards, carbon steps, carbon padeyes with Spectra loops, a custom carbon step for offshore driving and Equiplight titanium shackles throughout. The boat has the new rudder design by Alan Johnstone along with all offshore safety gear. The boat is ready to go offshore today.

Hull & deck was built with TPI's patented SCRIMP vacuum resin infusion molding process. Hull has carbon fiber biaxial - unidirectional inner skin, biaxial Kevlar - E-glass hybrid outer skin and thermo-formed CoreCell linear structural foam core drilled for West System epoxy resin.

Deck has carbon - E glass - CoreCell - vinylester laminate with gelcoat finish. Hull & deck laminates meet ABS offshore yacht standards and is also CE Mark Certified for Europe. Truly an amazing offshore racing yacht for the most discerning performance sailor. These J/125s rarely come on to the brokerage market and this particular boat is in pristine "as new" condition.  Learn more about this fabulous J/125 here.

Conanicut YC Round The Island Announcement!

(Jamestown, RI)- In a summer of social distancing, getting out on the water has been a release for many local sailors. Conanicut Yacht Club's Annual Around-the-Island Race on Sunday, September 6th aims to continue to be that respite. The 93rd edition, held annually on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, may look a little different this year, but will still be a celebration of the New England summer sailing season winding down.

Typically attracting around one hundred boats, competitors start at 11:00 AM in separated divisions, then circumnavigate the 21.0nm course around Conanicut Island. Usually, this is followed by the popular post-race party and awards ceremony at the club. However, the latest pandemic guidelines haven’t allowed the club to do that part of the day's activities.

"We are proud and grateful for how flexible and patient the sailing community has been this summer," says CYC ATI Race Chairman, Alan Baines. "We delayed opening registration until we knew more about how we could operate safely for everyone and, of course, decided to not host a post-racing party. However, as regulations are always changing, we do ask for your continued cooperation. So, please keep an eye out for any late special instructions or changes over the coming weeks."

Despite the cancellations or modifications of other local regattas, many race boats have still been sailing as much as possible. They have adapted to the "new normal" by following the safety recommendations from the State of Rhode Island by limiting crew or just sailing with family. Face masks or neck gaiters have become a part of the sailors' gear bag as much as the lifejacket, hat, and sunglasses.

Conanicut Yacht Club welcomes any monohull sailing yachts 22 to 80 feet with a 2020 PHRF-NB certificate to register; the closing date for entries is September 2nd.   For more CYC Round the Island sailing and registration information

J/Cup U.K. Regatta Announcement

(Cowes, England)- The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup has attracted nearly 40 teams so far, for the 21st birthday of the regatta exclusive to the J/Boats family. Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, by invitation of Key Yachting, eight races are scheduled in The Solent over three days (September 3rd to 5th, 2020). The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup is a celebration of racing designed for all J/Boats, no matter the level of experience or ability.

The organizers have been hard at work to maintain safety of all involved, both ashore and afloat. All Competitors will be welcome at the RORC Cowes clubhouse during the event with daily social events, which will be restricted in number. The complimentary berthing at Cowes Yacht Haven is proving very popular.

The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup will feature one-design racing for at least three classes and IRC Racing Classes for mixed fleets. There will be both windward leeward courses and round the cans racing.


Seven different J/Boat designs are set to race with results decided by IRC time correction. This allows fair racing for J/Boats not racing in one-design classes. Nine teams are currently entered under IRC, including the 2018 J-Cup winner J/112E Davanti Tyres, skippered by Chaz Ivill.


Eleven J/70 teams from all over the UK have entered, including Paul Ward’s reigning J/70 Open World Champion; Eat, Sleep, J Repeat. Last year’s Cowes Week winner, Jolt steered by Tilly Harrison and Charles Thompson’s Primo Cup winner Brutus, will also be in action.


Eight J/109s have entered including proven winners and all of last year’s podium. John Smart’s Jukebox is defending J/109 National Champion and will face stiff competition from last year’s runner up, Simon Perry’s Jiraffe. Third last year was the 2017 J/109 National Champion, David Richards’ Jumping Jellyfish.


The J/111 Class will be out in force with nine teams entered including last year’s winner and J/111 National Champion Tony Mack’s McFly. The 2018 J/111 National Champion will also be racing, Chris Jones and Louise Makin's Journeymaker II.

The most coveted award at the Landsail Tyres J-Cup is the J-Cup itself, which will be awarded at the Prize Giving Dinner on Saturday 5th September.   For more J/Cup U.K. sailing and registration informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

Throw-Down in MoTown!

Rumble in the Jungle- J/35 Style!
(Detroit, MI)- We had eight J/35's competing on August 15th and 16th. It was as good as it gets. At the end of the day on Saturday there was a bowline knot, for you rookies that is a three-way tie for first. Mr. Bill's Wild Ride 1st and 3rd, Snipe was 2nd and 2nd, and Dean's List was 3rd and 1st. The last race was called because of no wind.

There was a delay on Sunday do to a thunder storm. James Baker and his committee team told us all to standby that the storm will be over and he and his team at NSSC were all in to race more. Thank you NSSC for your dedication to being the real deal.

With that being said; Sunday Mr. Bill's Wild Ride was 1st and 2nd. Snipe was 2nd and 1st. Dean's List was 3rd and 3rd.

The THIRD RACE WAS THE BEST. In the final 7-tenths of a mile there were three lead changes. Dennis Meagher nosed out Mr. Bill by 1.5 feet and beat Dean's List by 10 seconds. Congratulations to all the sailors!

The party at NSSC and the awards were outstanding. We had Jake burgers cooked on the J/35 grill, and plenty of Guinness as we all talked about J/35 sailboat racing.

I heard there are several people with their big toes poking at the J/35 world. I will write you a hall pass! Please join in
you will happy you made the right decision. Do not buy yourself short, our renaissance is happening.

North Star Sail Club is the premier yacht club in Michigan. Their dedication to racing and putting out the effort to never be bogged down in politics is great. NSSC has the ability to keep 'the main thing the main thing'. Keep up your fine work!  For more North Star Sail Club information.